Page 5 of Always, For Love

"Temporarily, yes," Darcy replied, his mind already racing with potential solutions. "We can use some epoxy putty to seal the crack for now, but we'll definitely need a professional to replace the radiator soon."

"Okay, let's do that." Ariel knew that the cafe couldn't afford any disruptions, especially not during the peak evening hours.

"I think there's some of that in the supply closet," Darcy said, already heading toward the storage room to retrieve the necessary supplies. Ariel, meanwhile, quickly made her way to the thermostat, adjusting it slightly to reduce the pressure on the faulty radiator.

Within minutes, they had managed to improvise a temporary fix, the putty effectively stopping up the escaping water while keeping the heat flowing through the room. The guests remained blissfully unaware of the potential inconvenience.

"Thank you, Darcy," Ariel whispered as they returned to their respective duties, her eyes filled with gratitude. "Let's just hope this holds until after the wedding."

"Well," Darcy began hesitantly, "I'm not sure if our temporary solution will hold up for too long. We really should get a professional in here to take a look at it."

A pang of worry tightened in Ariel's chest, but she forced herself to smile. "We'll handle it, Darcy. But right now, I need to focus on my wedding with Miles. That's the priority."

"Of course," Darcy replied, understanding her decision. "But after the wedding, we should definitely get it checked out. I don't want this place falling apart on us."

"Absolutely," Ariel assured him, her thoughts momentarily drifting to the upcoming nuptials and the joy they would bring. She didn't have time to dwell on potential problems now – not when there was so much happiness to be found in the days ahead.

No other complications can arise. Her stress was already sky-high. She sent a little prayer up before she turned back to the clearing restaurant.

CHAPTER THREE

The next morning, Ariel sat in the quiet kitchen at Leeside and sipped her coffee, feeling the comforting heat spread through her chest. She glanced at the clock on the wall, noting that her daughter had already left for school. The empty muffin plate and milk glass in the sink seemed to say that she had at least eaten breakfast, which Ariel was happy to see. It seemed as though there was never enough time to catch up with each other these days.

With Katie's busy schedule of art classes and schoolwork, their interactions had become increasingly scarce, replaced by hurried conversations and fleeting smiles in passing. Ariel couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt, wondering if she should be doing more to nurture their relationship.

As the aroma of the new pot of coffee she had just put on filled the air, Ariel found herself lost in thought, reflecting on the moments she and Katie used to share before life became so hectic. Her mind drifted back to their evenings spent curled up on the couch in their house in Miami, watching Christmas movies, eating only treats for dinner, and laughing together until their sides ached. Those cherished memories served as a gentle reminder that the holidays were just around the corner, bringing with them the promise of more quality time to spend with her daughter.

The anticipation of Christmas break began to fill Ariel with a sense of excitement and relief. Soon, both she and Katie would be able to set aside the demands of work and school, allowing them to reconnect and make new memories. The thought of decorating the tree together, baking cookies, and exchanging gifts brought a smile to Ariel's face, filling her heart with warmth despite the cold winter air outside. She couldn’t wait to give Katie the paintbrush necklace.

Breakfast preparations wouldn’t need to begin for another half hour, and Darcy had not yet arrived, so Ariel thought she would sneak up to Katie’s room and leave her a treat—the first batch of eggnog fudge of the season was in the industrial fridge, ready to be sampled by guests. But Ariel had put a special plate of it aside for Katie, adorned with extra cinnamon.

Excited to stash her surprise, Ariel set her coffee aside and retrieved the fudge, tiptoeing upstairs so as not to disturb any sleeping guest. Ariel stood at the entrance of Katie's room, pausing for a moment to take in the beautiful chaos that filled her daughter's sanctuary. The walls were adorned with an eclectic mix of photographs, sketches, and paintings. Piles of sketchbooks and art supplies littered every available surface, their vibrant hues and textures blending together in a kaleidoscope of inspiration. On her desk sat a brochure for a summer art program, and Ariel briefly picked it up, scanning the pages.

In the midst of this artistic whirlwind, Ariel vowed silently to herself that over the coming Christmas break, she would make amends for her recent busyness, immersing herself in Katie's world and nurturing her in the new family dynamic that they would have once she and Miles were married.

As she stepped further into the room, navigating the cluttered floor with practiced ease to set the wrapped plate on Katie’s nightstand, Ariel's gaze fell upon Katie's computer, which sat open on her desk. The screen displayed an active chat window, its white background standing out starkly against the surrounding desktop disarray. Although it was not her intention to pry, the sight of the unfamiliar conversation stoked a small flame of curiosity within her.

Who could she be talking to? Ariel wondered, her maternal instincts tingling with concern. It wasn't like Katie to leave her computer open, especially with a private chat still visible for anyone to see. Despite her desire to respect Katie's privacy, Ariel couldn't shake the feeling that something about the situation seemed off.

Perhaps I should just take a quick glance, she reasoned, her worry momentarily outweighing her reluctance to invade her daughter's personal space. If it's nothing, then no harm done. But if there's something going on that I need to know about, it's better to find out sooner rather than later.

With a tentative step, Ariel moved closer to the computer, her heart racing as she prepared to uncover the contents of the mysterious conversation. As she leaned in to read the messages, she reminded herself that her intentions were rooted in love and concern for her daughter – even if it meant momentarily crossing a boundary she'd always struggled to maintain.

"Please let this be innocent," she whispered, her breath catching in her throat as the words on the screen came into focus. Ariel stood there, her fingers hovering just above the keyboard as she hesitated, torn between her respect for her daughter's privacy and her undeniable concern as a parent. She often met crossroads like this, having been a single parent most of Katie’s life—and it never seemed to get easier.

"Is this really necessary?" she asked herself, biting her lip. The weight of her decision hung heavy in the air, mingling with the scent of oil paints and charcoal that permeated the space.

Hey, have you ever tried painting landscapes? They're so calming, read one message on the screen, signed by a boy named Ethan Greene.

Ariel released a breath she didn't realize she was holding, her heart slowly unclenching as she scanned the conversation. It seemed harmless enough – just a casual exchange between two teenagers who shared a common interest in art.

Landscapes are great! Katie had replied enthusiastically. But I've been really into abstract expressionism lately. There's something so liberating about it.

Totally! I love how it allows you to express emotions without being confined by realistic shapes and forms. Do you have any favorite artists?

Jackson Pollock is definitely up there, Katie had typed back, a hint of excitement evident in her words.

Ah, a classic choice. Have you ever tried his technique of dripping paint onto the canvas? It's a lot of fun.

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